MAYSVILLE, Ky.  State wildlife officials and American Electric Power have reached a tentative agreement to turn 1,500 acres in Lewis County into a wildlife preserve.

Robert Webb, a state wildlife commission member, said final details have not been ironed out, but access to the land is a done deal. He said he hopes the lease agreement will be signed in the next two months.

Melissa McHenry, a spokesman for American Electric Power, said the company has preserves in most of the 11 states where it owns property.

Most of the time, we partner with the state to develop the area, she said. They are the experts, so we try to work with them in developing preserves. Unless something unexpected develops, Ms. McHenry said, the land will be designated a wildlife preserve.

American Electric Power had planned to use the Lewis County land, along the Ohio River near St. Paul, for a power plant that was never built.

The Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources wants to build waterfowl pits for hunting ducks and geese. Fishing would be available on the Ohio River.

This will help increase tourism to the area and preserve the land for future generations, said Lewis County Judge-executive George Plummer.